as in interpretation
a distinct treatment of something (as a story or a play)
a mock news program with humorous riffs on current events
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of riff
Andy once in a while plays a little riff, usually in the writing stage.
—
David Chiu, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025
The country’s very name is a late invention, a riff on the name of the river that runs through it—Zambezi, a word of uncertain origin.
—Namwali Serpell, The New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2025
Macchio is currently wrapping up a wildly successful riff on one of his beloved early-career projects: Cobra Kai, which is a series sequel to the Karate Kid films that Macchio anchored.
—Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 24 Mar. 2025
Food Kam & 46 (Section 105): The food truck-turned-vendor makes fun riffs on Hawaiian and Filipino street fare (e.g. tuna tartare or sisig nachos).
—Anna Spiegel, Axios, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for riff
David Chiu, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025
The country’s very name is a late invention, a riff on the name of the river that runs through it—Zambezi, a word of uncertain origin.
—Namwali Serpell, The New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2025
Macchio is currently wrapping up a wildly successful riff on one of his beloved early-career projects: Cobra Kai, which is a series sequel to the Karate Kid films that Macchio anchored.
—Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 24 Mar. 2025
Food Kam & 46 (Section 105): The food truck-turned-vendor makes fun riffs on Hawaiian and Filipino street fare (e.g. tuna tartare or sisig nachos).
—Anna Spiegel, Axios, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for riff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for riff
Noun
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Once hypothesized as a jellyfish, fungus or even a giant protist, science now favors an animal interpretation.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
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In Vogue's interpretation of the Met's production, which opens December 14, Hansel and Gretel are played by actor Andrew Garfield and model Lily Cole.—
Hamish Bowles,
Vogue,
13 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Molina says some explanations for the disparities could be variation in access to prenatal, labor and delivery, and postpartum care, as well as in state Medicaid coverage.—
Chantelle Lee,
Time,
9 Apr. 2025
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Over the years, Puppy Chow variations have popped up almost as robustly as stalks in a corn field.—
Karla Walsh,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The once-daily version of the pill was in early-stage testing, with researchers trying to figure out the best dose for patients, a spokeswoman said.—
Time,
Time,
15 Apr. 2025
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My body has changed—and is changing, like it's being slowly replaced by a similar but slightly less cooperative version.—
Liz Krieger,
Allure,
15 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Riff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/riff. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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